Getting There
By Plane—Arkia Airlines flies to Eilat from Tel Aviv and offers money-saving flight plus hotel packages. Alternatively, Israir offers similarly priced flights and all-inclusive packages. Ramon Airport is located a 20-minute drive north of Eilat. One-way flights from Tel Aviv can be as inexpensive as $50, making them a comfortable option within budgetary reach. Several public bus lines leave right from outside Ramon Airport and head into town, every 15 minutes, and cost 5 NIS per ride. Taxis from Ramon Airport into the city center cost roughly 85 NIS (before luggage surcharges).
All the local city buses run every 20 to 30 minutes or so, from early morning until about 7 or 8pm, daily except Saturday, stopping early on Friday (about 3 or 4pm).
By Bus—There are a number of daily buses (except on Shabbat) from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Eilat. The trip takes between 5 to 6 hours. If you arrive by bus, there’s a baggage checkroom at the bus station in case you have to seek out a hotel room. It is best not to carry luggage even short distances in Eilat’s hot weather. Unlike other bus tickets in Israel, seats on buses from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Eilat should be reserved in advance through Egged Buses.
By Shuttle—Tour companies such as Tourist Israel offer daily shared shuttle rides between Tel Aviv and Eilat, with prices starting at $40.
By Car—The trip takes approximately 4 hours by direct road from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. A fun place to pull over for a rest stop is the restaurant at Neot Semadar, an eco-friendly kibbutz known for its organic juices and other nibbles. Neot Semadar is a little less than an hour from Eilat.
Visitor Information
The Eilat Tourist Information Center is located in a small building called Bridge House (Beit HaGesher), on the North Beach Promenade. It’s open Sunday to Thursday 8am to 4:30pm, Friday and Jewish holiday eves 8am to 1pm. Pick up English-language maps and free copies of other tourist brochures filled with discount coupons. You can also get help and advice on booking accommodations and tours, bus schedules, events in the region, diving and snorkeling information, and travel to Jordan.
Tip: Eilat has no VAT so gasoline for your car will be 18% cheaper there than in the rest of Israel. Be sure to fill up before heading back north.
Orientation
There are three easily distinguishable areas in Eilat. First is the inland, amorphous town itself, built atop hills that roll toward the sea. Coral Beach, with its great snorkeling and smattering of hotels, is about 6km (3 and 3/4 miles) south of town on the western shore of the harbor, served by bus 15. The North Beach district, a 10-minute walk from the center of town on the eastern shore of the harbor, is where most of the hotels are clustered. It is also the site of an elaborate marina system and artificial lagoon, cutting several hundred yards inland. Around this lagoon are hotels, restaurants, and a promenade filled with pubs, discos, shops, and miles of street vendors—a fun way to spend a hot summer evening.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
